Identify your partners

Growing the capacity of local and diverse vendors in underserved communities does not have to happen alone—who else is on your team?

Outside partners

Who do you already work with, and with what organizations do you still need to cultivate relationships? List the following organizations in your community, and determine who you need to reach out to.

Organization Type

Potential Partners

Local minority chambers of commerce, women-owned business entities, or other diverse supplier networks

National Minority Supplier Diversity Council and local/regional affiliates

Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, or similar city or county agency or department

Local business support organizations, such as small business development centers, loan funds, technical assistance providers, etc.

Cooperative incubators or support organizations focused on worker-, employee- and cooperatively owned businesses

Credit unions and area financial institutions with Community Reinvestment Act requirements

Local community foundations or other locally based foundations

Community-based organizations focused on employment and job readiness

Food hubs, farmers’ cooperatives, or other entities focused on local food distribution infrastructure

Other anchor institution partners (e.g. health systems, universities, community colleges, public schools, city and county governments)

Supply chain integrators1These include medical supply distributors, distribution centers, group purchasing organizations, and other such entities. For a full definition, refer to the Key Terms section.

Group Purchasing Organization (GPO)

Inside Partners

Who are the key players within your own organization that can help move this effort forward? List any staff members in these categories that could provide resources and expertise for an inclusive, local sourcing program. Who is already on board, and who still needs to learn about the initiative?

If you are interested in print copies of these toolkits, or would like to know more about how The Democracy Collaborative can support their use at your institution, please contact kparker@democracycollaborative.org.